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Recap, highlights from Auburn basketball's preseason loss to Alabama
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- Recap, highlights from Auburn basketball's preseason loss to Alabama
A Tahaad Pettiford jumper late in Auburn 's preseason exhibition against Alabama pushed the Tigers ahead, but it quickly vanished. Auburn dropped its second preseason game to rival Alabama, 87-85, on Thursday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Tigers were without Owen Freeman and Kolby King due to injury for the second straight game. Plus, they are still without Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubštavičius, who has still not been cleared by the NCAA to play.
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Auburn got a big game from guard Kevin Overton with 26 points and 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the three-point line. Pettiford fouled out of the game not long after giving the Tigers the lead with 3:02 remaining in the game. Alabama regained the lead when London Jemison made a three with 2:29 remaining to go up 80-78. Auburn tied the game with two free throws by George Kimble III with 2:13 left. Alabama guard completed a three-point play to put them up 83-80, and the Crimson Tide did not trail again.
Auburn played much better around the basket than they did last week against Florida State. Auburn edged Alabama in rebounding, 51-42, and showed more physicality. However, Alabama outscored the Tigers in the paint 34-22. The Tigers did not have the best night shooting. Auburn was 33% from the field and was 27% from the three-point line.
Pettiford struggled with his shooting, going 3-of-13, but he ended the night with 11 points. Adam Olsen was second on the team with 12 points, going 4-for-10 on his three-point attempts. Thomas Dowd again struggled scoring but added in 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Alabama was led in the game by Amari Allen with 23 points, and Qayde Samuels had 20 points. The Crimson Tide shot slightly better than Auburn at 42%.
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Auburn will play its final exhibition game next week against Samford on Thursday, Oct. 29, in Neville Arena.
Auburn vs. Alabama score
| TEAM |
H1 |
H2 |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Tigers |
41 |
44 |
85 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide |
44 |
43 |
87 |
Auburn vs. Alabama live updates, analysis
See how "The Feud" between Auburn and Alabama at Legacy Arena in Birmingham unfolded below.
Final: Alabama 87, Auburn 85
10:44 PM ET, October 22 2026
Individual statistics
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Kevin Overton: 26 points, 6-13 3PT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
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Adam Olsen: 12 points, 1 rebound
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Tahaad Pettiford: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
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Caleb Williams: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
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Narcisse Ngoy: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
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Bukky Oboye: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
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Blake Muschalek: 6 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
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George Kimble III: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
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Thomas Dowd: 0 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Tahaad Pettiford fouls out - Auburn 78, Alabama 76 3:02 2nd half
10:14 PM ET, October 22 2026
On a potential fast break, Pettiford fouled Amari Allen that resulted in Pettiford fouling out of the game. He has 11 points in the game.
Pettiford gives Tigers the lead - Auburn 78, Alabama 76 3:46
10:08 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
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Pettiford hit a tough turnaround shot to give Auburn a 78-76 lead before the final media timeout. Overton has been leading the way in scoring with 26 points. He is 6 of 12 from the three-point line.
Auburn takes lead but Alabama regains - Alabama 65, Auburn 62 9:05 2nd half
09:51 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Auburn was down 60-56 with 11:24 left in the game until Adam Olsen hit two consecutive three-pointers to put them up 62-60. Alabama regained the lead after a three by Tarris Bouie to go up 63-62.
Alabama remains ahead - Alabama 58, Auburn 51 11:57 2nd half
09:42 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
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Auburn had cut the Alabama lead to 48-47 with 16:42 remaining in the game after a layup by Tahaad Pettiford. Alabama then went on a 10-4 run to go back up by seven. Overton leads the Tigers with 14 points. Alabama is led by Qayde Samuels with 17 points.
Halftime: Alabama 44, Auburn 41
09:09 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Individual statistics:
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Kevin Overton: 8 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
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Narcisse Ngoy: 8 points, 4 rebounds
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Caleb Williams: 7 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
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Tahaad Pettiford: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
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Bukky Oboye: 6 points, 6 rebounds
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Blake Muschalek: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
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Adam Olsen: 3 points, 1 rebound
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Thomas Dowd: 0 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Auburn holds two point lead - Auburn 36, Alabama 34 3:38 1st half
08:54 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Auburn has been the more physical team so far. They have an edge in rebounding over Alabama 24-17, and have shot 11 of 13 from the free throw line. Ngoy and Overton lead the Tigers in scoring with eight points each.
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Dowd block leads to Overton three - Auburn 31, Alabama 25 7:43 1st half
08:41 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
A block by forward Thomas Dowd resulted in a three-point shot for Kevin Overton to extend the Auburn lead to five. Overton now has eight points in the game and has connected on two three-point shots.
Ngoy dominating around the basket - Auburn 19, Alabama 16 11:45 1st half
08:28 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Narcisse Ngoy continues to lead the Tigers in scoring with eight points and has four rebounds early in the game. Pettiford has scored six points on one of three shooting, but he has made all four free throw attempts. Auburn is shooting 35% and Alabama is at 40%.
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Auburn holds early lead 11-9, 15:29 1st half
08:14 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Alabama has done all of their scoring on three for six from the three-point line. For Auburn, they are three of five from the field and have connected on four free throws. Narcisse Ngoy leads the way with four points, and Kevin Overton has three points for the Tigers.
Auburn starting five versus Alabama
07:49 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
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Guard: Tahaad Pettiford
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Guard: Kevin Overton
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Guard: Caleb Williams
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Forward: Thomas Dowd
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Center: Narcisse Ngoy
Will Mantas Rubstavicius be available to play for Auburn on Thursday?
07:30 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
Auburn fans will have to wait at least one more game to see International signee Mantas Rubstavicius suit up for the Tigers. Nathan King of Auburn 247 reported earlier this week that the judge in Rubstavicius' case against the NCAA has ordered an extension on his request for a temporary restraining order, meaning Rubstavicius will not be available to play on Thursday.
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Where to watch Auburn vs. Alabama on Thursday
07:15 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
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TV:None
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Streaming:YouTube
Thursday's exhibition between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide will be streamed on YouTube. Karl Ravich, Richard Hendrix, and former Auburn star Daymeon Fishback will have the call courtside from Legacy Arena.
Andy Burcham and Randall Dickey will also call the game on the Auburn Sports Network.
What time do Auburn and Alabama play on Thursday?
07:05 PM ET, October 22 2026, Phillip Jordan
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Date:Thursday, Oct. 21
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Time:7 p.m. CT
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Venue:Legacy Arena- Birmingham, Alabama
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Recap, highlights from Auburn basketball's preseason loss to Alabama
